Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

On a High Note

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On Friday, March 22, I flew into San Jose to teach and speak at the Vision Christian Writers Conference held in Mt. Hermon (an amazing Christian campground in the Santa Clara Mountains). I confess, I was nervous. In addition to giving a keynote address on the evening of Palm Sunday, I was asked to teach the Fiction Writing track (eleven and a half hours of teaching spread over four days). … [Read more...]

Cover Reveal & Series Sale

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I'm thrilled to share the cover for Book 3 in my Texas Ever After series with you today. Reimagining classic fairy tales in an old west environment has been so much fun, and the covers that the design team at Bethany House has produced have been some of the best I've ever had. This one is no exception. Cloaked in Beauty entwines "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Sleeping Beauty" for a romantic tale … [Read more...]

Total Solar Eclipse!

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I don’t know what you are doing on Monday, April 8, but North and Central Texas residents are in a frenzy over the coming total solar eclipse. Since the path runs through Dallas-Ft. Worth and down to Austin, many of our small towns (mine included) will be overrun with visitors coming just for this event. I’ve been told there isn’t an empty hotel room or Airbnb for miles around the area. And … [Read more...]

Recommendations make a difference

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When considering a purchase, I seek advice from others. Maybe they've traveled that particular road before and will have a suggestion or recommendation. Like two weeks ago when I asked for recommendations for toddler locks on doors and drawers. Thank you again, Susan Sines, for recommending the magnetic locks. I ordered the ones you mentioned, installed them with ease, and love the fact that … [Read more...]

I love spring, but ugh–the bugs!

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I do love spring--my trees come back to life, the oaks gleam with yellow-gold new leaves, and I stand outside and recite "Nothing gold can stay," the poem by Robert Frost. That tradition began when I was in high school. Every year Mrs. Williams would lead us out to a second story balcony beneath a sprawling live oak, where she'd recite the poem and we'd marvel that Nature's first green really is … [Read more...]

What does basketball have to do with writing?

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I grew up loving college sports...but football. I'm from Nebraska after all. But when I moved to Indiana, Purdue wasn't very good at football. Drew Brees had graduated and let's just say it wasn't necessarily the glory days. Still I ADORE college football. There's just something about it. And part of that is that Nebraska has been traditionally really bad at college basketball. I went to a … [Read more...]

Where Risk and Faith Collide

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Hi friends and happy Wednesday! I’m working on the second book in my new Jeopardy Falls series, and I have a character who shies away from risk. He feels safer remaining in his comfort zone. His hesitance to risk isn’t because he lacks courage. He’s very brave, but he was raised by one parent who believed risk was foolish. Everything was to be a calculated decision.  I’m finding it an … [Read more...]

Writers, You Are Invited

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I can’t wait! In one month, the inaugural Going Deeper Conference begins. This writers conference is the brain-child of author-friend Erica Vetsch, and will be held in her hometown of Rochester, Minnesota April 25-27.   Yes, I will be co-teaching a fun class with Erica and Michelle Griep, but what I’m most looking forward to is a weekend with sister writers. There is something so … [Read more...]

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